The use of food barcode scanner app among women: Associations with orthorexia, diet and emotions.

This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between the use of food barcode scanner app (FBSA) and orthorexia, diet and emotions. A total of 1610 women from the general population were included in this study, 388 of whom were FBSA users. Participants completed questionnaires assessing socio-demographic and health characteristics, food barcode scanner use (Food Barcode Scanner App Questionnaire), orthorexia (Teruel Orthorexia Scale), food choice motivations (Food Choice Questionnaire), health anxiety (Health Anxiety Questionnaire), and emotional competence (Profile of Emotional Competence). The results showed no difference in socio-demographic characteristics between FBSA users and FBSA non-users. However, FBSA users scored higher on healthy orthorexia and health anxiety than non-users. FBSA users' food choice motivations were also more focused on natural food content, health, weight control and ethical concerns than non-users. Although no difference was found between FBSA users and non-users for orthorexia nervosa, orthorexia nervosa and pathological FBSA use scores were positively correlated. Moreover, health anxiety scores were positively correlated with FBSAQ "pathological use" subscale. While FBSA use may promote the adoption of a healthy diet, vigilance is required for individuals with orthorexic symptoms and health concerns. These two dimensions could be risk factors for problematic FBSA use.

Who uses food barcode scanner apps and why? Exploration of users' characteristics and development of the Food Barcode Scanner App Questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Food barcode scanner apps (FBSAs) are increasingly being used to verify food quality. By scanning a product's barcode, they can provide a range of information, including nutritional quality or information on the toxicity of food components. Although they seem to be widely used, no study has yet examined their use in the general population. The objectives of this study were therefore twofold: (a) to identify who the users of FBSA are and (b) to evaluate behaviours and cognitions associated with use of these apps through the development and validation of the Food Barcode Scanner App Questionnaire (FBSAQ). METHOD: A total of 1626 women (average age of 37.51 years; SD = 12.67) from the general population were included in this study, with 25.7% reporting themselves as using at least one FBSA. Participants completed questionnaires assessing socio-demographic and health characteristics, the use of health apps and the FBSAQ, when relevant. RESULTS: The users of FBSAs did not differ from nonusers in regard to key socio-demographic characteristics, but they were more likely to use healthcare services and other health apps than nonusers of FBSAs. Psychometric analyses allowed validation of the FBSAQ through three factors: pathological use, dietary concerns and exclusion of unhealthy components. CONCLUSION: Data showed that the use of FBSAs can be beneficial for many individuals, as they help with food choices. However, some user may develop more problematic behaviours and have difficulties in not using these apps.

Associations between vegetarianism, body mass index, and eating disorders/disordered eating behaviours: a systematic review of literature.

The vegetarian diet is becoming increasingly popular among the general population and has been accompanied by an increasing number of publications in the last twenty years. However, the spread of selective diets raises some questions, especially with regard to health. This review examines studies on vegetarianism published between 2000 and 2022 that investigated the associations between this diet, weight, and eating disorders. The descriptive studies conclude that vegetarians have a lower body mass index, and the interventional studies show the value of a vegetarian diet for weight loss. While some studies suggest that vegetarianism may be associated with orthorexia nervosa, the results regarding the association between vegetarianism and eating disorders are more heterogeneous and depend on the type of samples and dimensions studied. The heterogeneity of these findings is discussed in light of the methodological limitations of the studies to provide perspectives for future research.

Vegetarianism and weight status: What are the differences in eating styles, impulsivity, and emotional competences? A preliminary study.

Recent studies suggest that vegetarian diets may be recommended to promote weight loss in individuals living with obesity. However, limited studies have examined psychological factors (e.g., eating styles, impulsivity) among individuals who have adopted this type of diet, even though these factors are known to play a role in being overweight. The primary objective of the present study was to compare these characteristics in participants living with obesity or those with normal-weight across diet types. Participants were recruited from two hospital nutrition departments and the general population. They completed a diagnostic interview assessing the presence of an eating disorder, followed by self-administered questionnaires measuring dysfunctional eating styles (DEBQ), impulsivity (UPPS), and emotional competence (PEC). Vegetarian participants living with obesity engaged in more dysfunctional eating styles than did normal-weight omnivores and experienced more emotional difficulties than did both normal-weight omnivores and vegetarians. In contrast, there were no significant differences between omnivore participants living with obesity and those in the other groups. Moreover, participants living with obesity had comparable emotion regulation abilities to normal-weight participants. These results suggest that emotion regulation deficits can more likely be explained by the presence of psychopathological traits than by being overweight or one's choice of diet.